0

CAUGHT WITH HIS PANTS DOWN....

THE FORWARD FILE

Thanks Dave Shuck for this linkie!

Hearing Impaired Man Tased by Police
Donnell Williams had just gotten out of the bath tub, wearing only a towel around his waist, when he turned the corner to see guns pointing right at him.

"I ain't never been so scared," says Williams.

Police forced entry into Williams home while responding to a shooting, but it turned out to be a false call.  They had no idea at the time the call wasn't real and that Williams is hearing impaired.  Without his hearing aid he is basically deaf.

"I kept going to my ear yelling that I was scared.  I can't hear!  I can't hear!"

Officers were worried about their own safety because at the time it appeared Williams was refusing to obey their commands to show his hands.  That's when they shot him with a Taser.

Deputy Chief Robert Lee of the Wichita Police Department says, "This one occurred on the worst of calls, that being a shooting. The first few minutes getting control of the scene are very, very important."

Once the facts were all sorted out, officers repeatedly apologized to Williams.  Police wish it never happened, but with the information they had at the time, their choices were limited.

"Do I wish there would have been some way they were notified in advance this gentleman was hearing impaired?  I certainly do.  No one is happy with the way it worked out," says Lee.

Williams was not hurt in the incident.  Police say the shooting call came from a cell phone but they still don't know who made it or why.

The case is being reviewed by the department.

***************************************************

This guy needs a dog!!!!  ~Tracy

Vaughn Tolle said:
 
Just wondering if there could be some universal signage that could be posted in a prominent place (front door?) which would inform authorities of the impairments of residents in the structure. Of course, that might be counter-productive, as some might see that as an invitation to break in...

The police were in a bad situation, no doubt. There just has to be a better way, both for the officers and the individuals.
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
im1096 said:
 
Why couldn't the 911 system carry a notation along with the address and other info that a hearing impaired individual lived in the home?
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
lindainks55 said:
 
I doubt a dog would have helped in this situation. I have very little contact with police but have run into a few who would relish "action." Too many with the "I've got a gun!" attitude. One man with a towel against how many officers with guns? Numbers and guns and the element of surprise on their side. And they still felt it necessary to use a taser? Because they are so incompetent they couldn't use their numbers (it did say officers so we know they outnumbered the man at minimum two to one!). And did they use observation? The man was telling them he couldn't hear. Abuse at the hands of police! And no one will ever be held accountable!
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
lindainks55 said:
 
Good suggestion IM!

And great to see you after being gone too long.
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
Vaughn Tolle said:
 
IM, good suggestion, but as I read the header, it would not have done any good in the situation we're discussing, as the initial call, proven to be false, apparently originated from a cell phone. Now, perhaps there could have been a cross-check on the address, but I wonder how long that would have taken.

Linda, you caught something I missed. To mount a bit of a defense for the police, if they were yelling, the gentleman was trying to talk, I can see in the confusion where his protestations were missed.
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
gster said:
 
Is the morale of the story: never shower unarmed?
Ya just never know!
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
Julie said:
 
Actually gster - the moral of the story is ---
shower w/ a buddy - you conserve water and protect yourself against police brutatlity!

ha!
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
 
Julie, I tried that.
I can't get the damned dog to stay in the shower.
 
posted 718 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
Julie said:
 
next time try a cat.
One of mine loves to come in the shower when it's running - she'll sit on the edge of the tub.
The dog likes to lay on the bath rug right outside the tub right where I put my feet. So I step on puppydog tail when I step out.
 
posted 717 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
lindainks55 said:
 
Julie's dog Oreo is the cutest most loving little doggie! Her little cat is also loving after you've proven to not be dangerous. The bigger cat needed more time and more proof before I would be accepted!
 
posted 717 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
Vaughn Tolle said:
 
After considering the proposed solution by Tracy (a dog), I have another suggestion; a goose. Worked for the Roman Senate, "back in the day".
 
posted 717 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
lindainks55 said:
 
OK! I need to hear this story!
 
posted 717 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
Vaughn Tolle said:
 
Linda, the short version (in English) goes something like this: the Roman Senate had been in session all day and into the night, and the Senators had all fallen asleep. There was an invasion by the vandals (IIRC) to take over the Senate, and thus Rome; but the geese on the Capitoline Hills sensed them on the way, and began honking, etc., awakening the senators in time to call the guard and repel the invasion. Latin II (read the story in the original Latin).
 
posted 717 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 
lindainks55 said:
 
I love learning from you! If you ever want a second career I think teaching is one to look at. Read it in Latin, huh? Sure glad you know English!

Now that I've heard the story I agree a goose might be just the thing! And maybe even willing to get in the shower.
 
posted 717 days ago
Add Comment Reply to: this comment OR this thread
 

Search